Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order

Who they were

In thirteenth-century Florence, seven merchants belonging to a lay confraternity devoted to Our Lady - Bonfiglio, Bonagiunta, Manetto, Amadio, Sostegno, Uguccione and Alessio - decided around 1233 to leave their business and homes, give their goods to the poor and live in penance, contemplation and the service of Mary, while the city was torn by civil war.

They became the Order of the Servants of Mary, the Servites. Threatened with suppression when the Council of Lyon restricted the mendicant orders, the order was saved by St Philip Benizi and finally approved by Benedict XI in 1304. Alessio Falconieri, last of the seven, died on 17 February 1310, nearly 110 years old. They share one tomb at Monte Senario.

The miracles

Leo XIII canonised the seven together in 1888.

Why that counted as sanctity

Seven successful men left everything together to serve God through Mary, and the brotherhood they founded has lasted eight centuries.

Connected on this site

• Alexis Falconieri Saint
  “Bonfilius was born Bonfilius Monaldi (Italian: Buonfiglio dei Monaldi), Alexis was born Alexis Falconieri (Alessio Falconieri; 1200 – 17 February 1310), Manettus was born Benedict dell'Antella (Benedetto dell' Antella), Amadeus born Bartholemew Amidei (also Bartolomeo degli Amidei; died 1265), Hugh was born…” — Wikipedia
• Amadeus of the Amidei Saint
  “The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order (Bonfilius, Alexis, Manettus, Amadeus, Hugh, Sostene and Buonagiunta) were seven men of the town of Florence who became bound to each other in a spiritual friendship and started the Servite Order in the 13th century.” — Wikipedia